Jose Mourinho claims Manchester United fans shouldn’t sing his name

Jose Mourinho has revealed his amazement at the support he received from the Manchester United fans on Saturday evening amid reports that he was to be sacked.

The Mirror reported on Friday evening, the day before Man United’s 3-2 comeback win against Newcastle United, that whatever the result at Old Trafford, Mourinho would be sacked afterwards.

United’s board strongly denied such claims but it looked possible as the Reds went two goals down in the opening 10 minutes against Newcastle, who had netted only four goals all season prior to the fixture.

Mourinho oversaw a brilliant second-half comeback from his United side and made a point to praise the supporters for their role in the victory.

“I’m amazed by that response,” Mourinho said.

“I don’t want that [the fans singing Mourinho’s name], and if I could tell them to not do it I would, because it is not about me it is about the football club they love and the football club we represent with honour and dignity.”

“At half-time we were losing 2-0 and the fans were magnificent to the team and that is fantastic.

“I am in a situation where I’m losing 2-0 at home in a match everyone knows is important for us to win, and they were amazing.”

United fans, like all football fans, have a sense of resilience about them when things really start going wrong. A minor defeat won’t draw much of a reaction but when things reach a certain level of bad, a response is guaranteed, and usually one that looks to spur the team on.

That happened on Saturday and particularly so after the first goal for the Reds in the second half, a 70th-minute free-kick from Juan Mata which started the comeback.

Mourinho’s name has been sung throughout the last few weeks despite United’s poor form. It’s the right thing to do: back the manager until he’s gone.